Lexingtons last battle, 1//700

[marijn van gils]

Many thanks everyone! Your support, tips and information have helped me tremendously on this fun ride!

You must be exhausted!

Ha!--whats next...?

On the contrary! I'm lucky to have a relatively long attention span (which helps lot in modeling! ), and to me bringing everything together at the end is the most fun part.

Next is finishing the base, making a class case, and building a transportation box. But after that I can start with this one: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FEbWz4ulESM
It is a little less ambitious than the Victory project I mentioned, so I'm saving that one for afterwards.

Congratulations on a job well done, Marjin, and double-congrats on the writing gig! Are you going to get paid for your manuscript and photos?

I hope so...and that you continue to have a long and happy modeling career!

Thanks!
I do get payed for the effort, but I consider it just some extra hobby-money, nothing to make a career of. I also don't have that ambition. In my 'modelling career', I just want to build models in the way that I like. And to reach that goal, and keep it long and happy, I better keep it just a hobby!

Cheers!

Marijn

[mcfrag0815]

Un-be-lievable

I really love this work, all the tiny details... I never get bored to look at this stunning little scene. Every time I think I've seen all I discover another little lovely detail!

[Devin]

Beautiful work. Were it not for the lack of smoke it could pass for an actual photo of the event.

Are you using a kit for Amagi, or scratch? Also in 1/700, I assume?

[zs180]

Congrats again on the completion of this fantastic dio.
I want to be among the first to get your book!

[Dino Carancini]

...something has changed in 1/700 modelling after this diorama!

[ardon2]

I could only wish that I had your attention span. Truly a masterpiece!

[marijn van gils]

Many thanks guys! You make me blush!

Are you using a kit for Amagi, or scratch? Also in 1/700, I assume?

I'm using the most recent Fujimi kit of Unryu, which was about identical to Amagi. The kit seems to be excellently detailed and molded, and I also have the Lionroar PE set designed for it, which will help a lot in super detailing. I will have to scratch part of the lower hull though, as it is a waterline kit. I will also have to add part of the hangar deck and battle damage, as part of the flight deck was blown apart when bombed and fell overboard when capsizing. It should be a fun build, where the basic kit is a breeze and the challenges and extra effort go directly to making it into something unique.

I want to be among the first to get your book!

I'm still writing at the moment, but I'll let you know when it coming out!
By the way, I'll get payed a fixed amount, so I don't get more if it sells well, so no need to pity-buy out of worries for my financial situation!

I could only wish that I had your attention span.

And in turn, I envy the guys who can spend 5 years on more on large-scale scratch builds�
I guess it's a matter of choosing the right projects according to our attention span, I guess?

Cheers!

Marijn

[Mgunns]

Amazing work. You have really captured the feel and the sense of the loss of the Lexington.

[hypno7]

Amazing diorama! I will surely get the book! This build has motivated me to try more and practice more.

I hope to have the chance to see it on the flesh!

[marijn van gils]

Many thanks guys!
And many thanks to everyone who contributed to this project, be it with information, ideas, or motivating words in this thread! You really were a big help!

Finally finished:


Time to send some pics for the gallery!

Cheers,

Marijn

[Devin]

A true work of art.

[garyrunnalls]

Inspirational and words can't fully explain how Awesome this dio is.Best Wishes!

[Milan Kuliffay]

I saw this diorama last weekend live in Mosonmagyar�v�r.
Marijn job par excellence.

[marijn van gils]

Thanks guys!

Milan, your Shoho was also absolutely wonderfull, and an inspiration for my current build. I was hoping to meet you at the show, but it was so busy it didn't happen. Next time we'll have to set up an oppointment!

Cheers,

Marijn

[Devin]

Marijn, I just picked up the Modeling Full Ahead book on this build. It's even more impressive in high-resolution print! Would love to be able to see it in person someday. Very inspiring.

[marijn van gils]

Many thanks Devin!

If you would live in Hoboken, Antwerp, it would be easier to meet!

But I have been in the USA for modelling shows in the past (MFCA in Valley Forge), and I hope to be able to do that again in the future.
But don't wait for that! If you have the chance to come overhere, some of the European shows are really good also, with a very high level of modelling.

Cheers,

Marijn

[Devin]

Marijn,

Adrian Davies keeps prodding me to go to Telford, so maybe someday. I know it borders on blasphemy over here in the States, but I really like the European style of modeling.

I was going to attend MFCA in Valley Forge this month, as I have a friend that lives literally 2 miles from the venue, but I have to travel for work. Hopefully next year. It may be a HUGE mistake, though, as I buy figure models every now and then; it's something I want to learn to do someday, but the learning curve is so steep.

-Devin

[marijn van gils]

In my experience (and I've visited A LOT of figure modelling shows!), there are few places more interesting for figures than MFCA. The top of the North American painters and sculptors are there, next to a quite big selection of the best of Europe. So plenty of inspiration!!!

But I can see how that can be daunting too. The learning curve to that kind of quality of work is steep indeed, but remember that none of these modelers got to that level without many many years of passionate practice, very slowly building up their skills over a long period of time and over many many figures. Their earlier works were of course also much more humble than what they put on the tables now. In the end, painting figures also consists of a series of techniques and logical principles which can be learned, just like anything else.

Cheers,

Marijn

[ADavies]

Damn straight you should go to Telford! Eindhoven and Moson too!

A.

[lascar]

I have no world for your job .......................